Using System Trace Data to Diagnose Problems

TSAF maintains an internal trace table within the TSAF virtual machine. Use the DUMPSCAN TRACE subcommand to display the internal trace table entries. TSAF also writes event trace entries to the system TRSOURCE file. Use the DUMPSCAN command to view TSAF entries and the PRTDUMP command to print the TRSOURCE file.

The TSAF SET ETRACE command lets you enable or disable external tracing for the TSAF virtual machine (see SET ETRACE). You can trace data on specific links to the TSAF virtual machine. You can also trace data for other virtual machines (user IDs) that have established an APPC/VM path through the TSAF virtual machine. To collect TSAF event trace records, enter the following command from the TSAF virtual machine:

set etrace on

Before entering the SET ETRACE command, you should enter the CP TRSOURCE command from a class C user ID. TRSOURCE enables external tracing of TSAF events and writes the TSAF trace records in blocks, rather than individually. Enter the command in the following format:

cp trsource traceid id type gt block for userid

The privilege class C, QUERY TRSOURCE command displays information about the current TRSOURCE settings. This information helps with problem determination. For more information about the TRSOURCE and the CP QUERY commands see the z/VM: CP Commands and Utilities Reference.

To access and review the TRSOURCE reader file, use the DUMPSCAN command. To print selected portions or the entire TRSOURCE file, use the PRTDUMP command. For more information about Dump Viewing Facility commands, see the z/VM: Dump Viewing Facility.